Luminous tube sign



June 13, 1933.

J. BRUIJNES ET AL LUMINOUS TUBE SIGN Filed June 18,` 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet1 June 13, 1933. J. BRUIJNES Er Al. 1,914,074

LUMINoUs TUBE SIGN Filed Jxune 18. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2En/enfansyPatented June 13, 1933 l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHANNESIBRUIJ'NES AND JOHANNES PETRUS MARIA MUTSAERS, OF EINDHOVEN,NETHERLANDS, ASSIGNORS T N. V. PHILIPS GLOEILAMPENFABRIEKEN, OF

' EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS LUMINOUS TUBE SIGN Application led June 18,1930, Serial No. 462,066, and in the Netherlands August 8, 14929.

Y charge tubes for outlining characters and other designs in luminouslines, especially for sign and advertising displays. The discharge tubesused in this case are shaped as a character or as the design they haveto represent and are filled with a suitable gas or vapour filling, forexample with neon (the discharge tubes of the type here 1nvolved aretherefore often referred to as neon tubes). When a suitable .voltage issupplied to the electrodes of the tubes, the tubes as a result of theelectric discharge struck therein radiate light the colour of which isdetermined by the nature of the material of which the wall of thedischarge tube is made and by the nature of the gaseous filling. If thetubes contain neon, the light obtained will be reddish, whereas a bluecolour is obtained when the discharge is struck in mercury vapour.

The invention has reference to such an arrangement comprising aplurality of luminous tubes each of which constitutes a char- .icter ordesign, and has for its object to provide an installation in which thevarious designs represented by the discharge tubes are very well visibland can be readily placed in position and replaced. In an arrangementaccording to the invention each discharge tube is freely arranged inspace and'secured to a foot which consists at least partly of insulatingmaterial, a resistance connected in series with the discharge tube beingjoined to the foot or the tube. -Each of the discharge tubes beingarranged on a separate f0ot,'it is possible to alter the outline formedby the various discharge tubes in a very simple manner by replacement ofthe discharge tubes. In addition, the outline formed by the dischargeYtubes will be very well visible in the day-time as well as at night whenthe discharge tubes are in use, particularly if the installation is suchthat a suitable back-ground is provided therefore.

Bymeans of the insulating feet the discharge tubes are arranged on asupporting device. The feet may, for example, be provided with a slotand clasp a rim of the supporting member. In another form ofconstruction the feet of the discharge tubes are arranged within a slotof the supporting member. Advantageously, this supporting member may bemade of two parts articulated to each other which when closed constitutea partially closed slot. For replacement of the various discharge tubes,the said supporting member can be opened, whereupon each discharge-tubecan be individually removed from the supporting member, whereas in theclosed position 0f this member the feet of the discharge tubes arealmost entirely enclosed.

The supporting member on which the discharge tubes are arranged may beprovided wlth one or more current supply bus-bars adapted to contactwith contact members enclosed within the 'feet and connected to theelectrodes of the tubes. In this` arrangement the current limitingresistance joined to the' foot or the tube is connected in series withthe tube. Preferably, should be such that the discharge tube cannot beremoved until after the current supply bus-bars have been cut out of theelectric circuit. Thus the possibility of contacting with the currentsupply bus-bars under tension when replacing the discharge .tubes isavoided.

Frequently it is desirable that the discharge tubes should be arrangedon a case containing a transformer supplying the power for the dischargetubes. If the discharge tubes are arranged on a supporting member whichconsists of two articulated parts as described hereinbefore, thissupportingy member may be arranged with advantage on the transformercase. so that the member cannot be opened until after it has beendetached from the case, whereby the connection between the thearrangement y current supply bus-bars and the transformthe sake of stillgreater safety, one of the 4articulated parts may have secured to it astud which, if the support-ing member is arranged on the case, whenclosed, closes a contact included in the primary of the transformer.

` Very advantageously the various electric discharge tubes may be shapedsuch that they outline in double lines the sign to be represented. Thespacing bet-Ween the ends of the discharge tubes is thus equal for allthe'displays or characters so that the various feet of the dischargetubes may all have the same size.

The methods described of arranging the discharge tubes permit of eachtube being removed from the installation singly and independently of theadjacent tubes, and if desired of replacing with another tube. Moreoverit is not necessary to make special connections to the current supplybus-bars so that there is no risk of making faulty connections. Theinstallation is therefore particularly adapted for handling bytechnically unskilled persons, as is very often the case, for example indisplay and advertisement installations. The replacement of the tubesand the change in coordination of the various displays so as, forexample, to form other words can be effected by any one and requires nospecial technical skill; in addition it does not involve any risk oftouching parts under tension.

1n order that the invention may be clearly understood and readilycarried into effect some embodiments of the invention will be describedmore fully with. reference to the accompanyin drawings, in which Figure1 s ows diagrammatically and by way of example one arrangement accordingto the invention,

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the foot of a discharge tube having theform of the character P for use in the arrangement shown in Figure l,

Figure 3 shows a further form of construction of the foot and of thesupporting member,

Figure 4 shows diagrammatically an embodiment in which the feet arearranged in a slot formed by articulated parts of the supporting member,and

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the supporting member shown in Figure 4,a foot of a discharge tube being arranged therein.

The installation shown in Figure 1 comprises various discharge tubes 1shaped as characters. These discharge tubes which are provided with apair of electrodes' and a suitable gaseous filling are secured to feet 2of insulating material, for example of the material known under theregistered trade mark bakelite. As seen best in Figure 2, each foot hasa slot by means of which it clasps an upright rim 3 of the supportingmember.

This supporting member contains two current supply bus-bars 4 and 5adapted to contact with contact members enclosed within the foot 2. InFigure 2 these contact members are designated by 6. One of these contactmembers is connected to an electrode o f the discharge tube 1 through acurrent 1.1m1t1ng means or resistance member 7 housed 1n the insulatingfoot, whereas the other electrode of the tube is connected by the othercontact member to the bus bar 4.

As shown in 'Figure 1, the feet of the various discharge tubes areadapted to each other so that they can entirely shield the currentsupply bus-bars in`the supporting member. It is possible for the ends ofthe supporting member on which no discharge tubes are arranged tobeshielded by small insulating blocks of the same shape as the feet of thedischarge tubes but carrying no discharge tube. The current supplybus-bars 4 and 5 are connected to the transformer which supplies thevoltage for striking the discharge in the various luminous tubes.

The foot 8 of the discharge tube 1 shown in Figure 3 has a rectangularsection and is arranged in a slot formed between two upright rims 9 and10 which form part of a plate 11, constituting, for example, the upperpart of the case in which the transformer for operating the installationis arranged. rlhe current is supplied to the discharge tubes by ymeansof current supply bus-bars 12 and 13 which are entirely shielded bythevarious feet of the discharge tubes.

The installation shown in Figure 4 comprises various discharge tubes 1shaped as characters which are outlined in double lines.

The discharge tubes are secured to feet 14y arranged in a slot of thesupporting member. As shown in Fi re 5 this member consists of twochannel-s aped parts 15 and 16 articulated to each other at 17. The endsof these channel-shaped parts are shut olf by plates 18. The part 16 hassecured to it a current supply bus-bar 19 insulated Jfrom the metal part16 by material 20. When closed the parts 15 and 16 form an entirelyclosed slotV has secured to it a stud 25 the end of which is ofconductivematerial, said conductive portion being insulated from thepart 16 and connected by an insulated conductor to the current bus-bar19.

The supporting member constituted by the parts 15 and 16 is arranged ona case 26 which contains a transformer that supplies the voltage forstriking the discharge in the various discharge tubes. This transformercase, Which consists of conductive material, has attached to it a cord27 with a contact plug 28 by means of which the installation can beconnected in a very simple manner to a lighting circuit of suitablevoltage. For the sake'of greater safety it is preferable that the caseof the-transformer should be grounded and forthis purpose agroundterminal 29 is lmounted on the case.

The studs 24 and 25 of the supporting member of lthe discharge tubesarel adapted to enter contact bushings of a transformer case. Thesestuds cannot be inserted into the corresponding vcontact bushings untilafter the parts have been closed. For the purpose of replacing thedischarge tubes it is therefore necessary first to detach the supportingmember from the transformer case so as to breakl the connection betweenthe current supply bus-bars and the secondary circuit of thetransformer. The protection from high voltage in the arrangement shownisstill further improved by providing a stud 30 Which is secured to thepart 15 of the supporting member and' by which a contact provided in thetransformer ease and included in the primary of the transformer is notclosed until of luminous tubes, each of which is -shaped after thecontact studs 24 and 25 have been partially inserted inthe contactbushings.

What we claim is: 1. As a unitary structure, an electric luminous tubebent in one plane to depict a character or sign in double lin-es, a footconsiting at least partly of insulating material and a current limitingmeans connected in series with the tube, said tube being so secured to Isaid foot that it is freely disposed in space.

2. An arrangement comprising a plurality lf luminous tubes each of whichis shaped as a character or sign, in which each tube is freely arrangedin space and is secured to a foot consisting at least in part ofinsulating material, a current limiting`means connected in series .viththe discharge tube joined tothe foot of the tube, and a supportingmember for the said foot having a rim thereon, the feet of the dischargetubes being provided with a slot adapted to clasp the rim of the saidsupportlng member.

8. An arrangement comprising a plurality of luminous tubes, each ofwhich is shaped as a character or sign, each of the said discharge tubesbeingfreely arranged in space and be-J- ing secured to a foot consistingatleast partly of insulating material, a current limiting meansconnected in series with the discharge tube and joined to thefoot of thetube, and a supporting member for the said foot, andA 15 and 16 of thesupporting member having aslot, thefeet of the discharge tube beingmounted in the said slots.

4. An arrangement comprising a plurality of luminous tubes, each ofwhich is shaped as a character or sign, each of the said discharge tubesbeing freely arranged in space and being secured to a foot consisting atleast partly of insulating material, a current limiting means connectedin series with the discharge tube and joined to the foot of the tube,and a supporting member for the said feet and having a slot therein, thesaid supporting member comprising two articulated parts which when inclosed position form a partially closed slot, the feet of the dischargetube being mounted in the said slot.

5. An arrangement comprising. a' plurality of luminous tubes each ofwhich is shaped as a character or sign, in which each tube is freelyarrangpd in space and is secured to a foot consistingat least in part ofinsulating material, a current limiting means connected in series withthe discharge tube joined to the foot of the tube, a supporting memberfor the said feet and havlng a rim thereon,

and at' least one current supply bus-bar mounted on the supportingmember, the feet of the discharge tubes being provided with a slot'adapted to clasp the rim of the supportlng member and having contact`mem- ,bers enclosed within the feet and adapted Ato cooperate with thesaid bus-bars.

6. An arrangement comprising a plurality least partly of insulatingmaterial, a current 'limiting means connected in series with thedischarge tube and'joined to the foot of the tube, a supporting memberfor supporting the said feet and having a slot therein, and

at least one bus-bar mounted on the said supporting member, the feet ofthe discharge tubes being adapted for mounting in the said slot, andhaving contact members there- 1n adapted to cooperate with the' saidbusbars.

7. An arrangement comprising a plurality of" luminous tubes, each ofwhich is shaped as a character or sign, each of the said discharge tubesbeing freely arranged in space and being securedto a foot -consisting atleast partly of insulating material, a current limiting means connectedin series with the discharge tube and joined to the foot of the tube,and a supporting member for' supporting the said feet, the saidsupporting member comprising two articulated parts which when closedform a partially closed slot, and atleast one current supply bus-barmounted in the said supporting member, the feet of the discharge tubebeing adapted to be mounted in the said slot and having contact memberstherein adapted to cooperate with the said bus-bars.

8. An arrangement comprising a plurality of luminous tubes each of whichis shaped as a character or sign, in which each tube is freely arrangedin space and is secured to a foot consisting at least in part ofinsulating material, a current limiting means connected in series withthe discharge tube joined to the foot of the tube, and a supportingmember adapted to receive the said feet and having a rim thereon, eachof the said feetbeing provided with a slot adapted to clasp the saidrim, the said supporting member forming part of thc casing of thetransformer by which the discharge tube is operated.

9. An arrangement comprising a plurality of luminous tubes, each ofwhich is shaped as a character or sign, each of the said discharge tubesbeing freely arranged in space andbeing secured to a foot consisting atleast partly of insulating material, a current limiting means connectedin series with the discharge tube and joined to the foot of the tube, asupporting member for supporting the said feet and having a slot thereinadapted to receive the said feet, the said supporting member formingpart of the casing of the transformer for operating the said dischargetubes.

10. An arrangement comprising a plurality of luminous tubes, each ofwhich is shaped as a character or sign, each of the said discharge tubesbeing freely arranged in, space and being secured to a foot consistingat least partly of insulating material, a current limiting meansconnected in series with the discharge tube and joined to the foot ofthe tube, and a supporting member for supporting the said feet andcomprising two articuated parts which when closed form a partly closedslot adapted to receive the said feet, the said supporting memberforming part of the casing of the transformer by which the said tubesare operated.

11. An arrangement comprising a plurality of lumlnous tubes), each ofwhich is shaped as a character or sign, each of the said discharge tubesbeing freely arranged in space and being secured to a foot consisting at`east partly of insulating material, a current limiting means connectedin series with the discharge tube and joined to the foot of the tube, asupporting member for the said feet and comprising two articulated partswhich .vhen closed form a partially closed slot adapted to receive thesaid feet, and adapted t0 carry the electrical connections from thetubes to a transformer, and a transformer having a casing of which thesaid supporting .uembcr forms part, and at least one contact member oneach of the articulated parts of the supporting member which can beconnected to corresponding contact members in the transformer casingonly when the articulated parts are in their closed position.

Leraar/e 12. An arrangement comprising a plurality of unitary luminoustubes, each of which is shaped as a character or -sign freely mounted inspace and secured to a foot consisting at least in part of insulatingmaterial, a current limiting means connected in series with the,discharge tube and joined to the foot of the tube. a supporting memberfor the said feet and comprising two articulated parts which when closedform a partially closed slot adapted to receive the said feet, andadapted to carry the electrical `connections from the tubes to atransformer, and a transformer having a casing of which the saidsupporting member forms parts, the said transformer having a contactincluded in the primary thereof, which contact is norlnally open, andone of the articulated parts of the supporting member having a studsecured thereto which when the articulated parts are mounted on thetransformer is adapted to close the said contact.

13. Luminous tube sign, comprising a plurality of units, each unitcomprising a luminous discharge tube so bent in one plane that itdepicts a character' or sign in double lines, a foot consisting at leastpartly of insulating material and a current limiting means connected inseries with said tube, said tube being so secured to said foot that itis freely arranged in space, the sign comprising a supporting member toWhich said units are interchangeably secured.

14. Luminous tube sign comprising a plurality of units, each unitcomprising a luminous discharge tube shaped as a character or sign, afoot consisting at least partly of insulating material and a currentlimiting means connected in series with said tube, said tube being sosecured to said foot that it is freely arranged in space, the signcomprising a supporting member provided with a rim, the feet of saidunits being provided with slots clasping said rim.

15. Luminous tube sign comprising a plurality of units, each unitcomprising a luminous discharge tube shaped as a character or sign, afoot'consisting at least partly of insulating material and a currentlimiting means connected in series with said tube, said tube being sosecured to said foot that it is freely arranged in space, the signcomprising a supporting member provided with a slot, the feet of saidunits being arranged within said slots.

16. Luminous tube sign, comprising a plurality of units, each unitcomprising a luminous discharge tube shaped as a character or sign, afoot consisting atleast partly of insulating material and a currentlimiting means connected in series with said tube, said tube being sosecured to said foot that it is freely arranged in space, the signcomprising a s upporting member containing two parts articuimacat latedto each other, these parts clasping the feet of said units.

17. Luminous tube sign, comprising a plurality of units, each unitcomprising a luminous discharge tube shaped as a character or sign, afoot consisting at least partly of insulating. material and a currentlimiting means connected in series with said tube, the sign comprising asupporting member t0 which said units are interchangeably secured, saidsupporting member containing at least one bus-bar electrically connectedto the electrodes of the luminous tubes of said units.

` 18. Luminous tube sign comprising a plurality of units, each unitcomprising a luminous discharge tube shaped as a character or sign, afoot consisting at least partly of insulating material and a currentlimiting means connected in series With said tube, the sign comprising asupporting member containing tvvo parts articulated to each other andclasping the feet of said units, at least one bus-bar being present insaid articulated parts, the sign comprising further a case containing atleast one transformer, said supporting member being arranged on saidcase, means being present allowing hinging open said parts only afterthat said supporting member has been detached from said case.

19. Luminous tube sign, comprising a plurality of units, each unitcomprising a luminous discharge tube shaped as'a character or sign, afoot consisting at least partly of insulating material and a currentlimiting means connected in series with said tube, the sign comprising asupporting member containing two parts articulated to each other andclasping the feet of said units, .each part of said supporting memberbeing provided with a contact member, the sign comprising further a casecontainin at least one transformer and being provi ed with contact meanscorresponding to said contact members, said parts of the supportingmember hinging open only after that. said contact members has beendetached from said contact means.

20. Luminous tube sign comprising a plu- I rality of units, each unitcomprising a luminous discharge tube shaped as a character or sign, afoot consisting at least partl of insulating material and a current'uniting means connected in series with said'tube, the

sign comprising a supporting member for said units containing two partsarticulated to each other and clasping the feet of said units, each partof said supporting member being provided with a contact member, the signcomprisin further a case containin at least one trans ormer and beingprovi ed with contact means corresponding to said contact members, saidparts4 of the supporting member hinging open only after that saidcontact members has been detached from said conincluding a contactclosed b a stud arranged on one of said parts of t e supporting member.

21. Luminous tube sign comprising a plurality of units, each unitcomprising a luminous discharge tube shaped as a character or sign, afoot consisting at least partly of insulating material, said tube beingso secured to said foot that it is freely arranged in space, the signcomprising a supportin member provided with a slot, the feet of saidunit being arranged Within said slot.

22. A luminous tube sign comprising a plurality of units, each unitcomprising a luminous discharge tube bent'iin one plane to depict acharacter or sign in double lines, a foot consisting at least partly ofinsulating material, said tube being so secured to said foot that it isfreely arranged in space, the sign comprising a supporting member towhich said units are interchangeably secured.

23. An apparatus comprising a plurality of luminous tubes, each of whichis shaped as a character or sign, each of said discharge tubes beingfreely arranged in space and being secured to a foot consisting partlyof insulating material, and a supportin member for the said foot andhaving a slot, the feet of the discharge tube being mounted in the saidslots.

l In testimony whereof We have signed our 95 tact means,` the primary ofsaid transformer

